Simple Salon

My daughter loves hair.

Really.

Every chance she gets, doesn't matter who is holding her, she will find your hair and play (unless you have a necklace, then she may resort to trying to taste test that).

No, hair does not go in the mouth, but it may end up leaving your head for curious eyes to stare at in their hand once you are no longer around. THEN it may end up in the mouth.

Anyway, today I still wasn't feeling too well. Hubby sat our munchkin down right in front of me (I was laying down to ease my stomach a bit), when she noticed my hair. I then got the royal treatment of an impromptu hair-do chez baby!

I have my hand behind her back because, although good at sitting alone already, she can still be a little unstable at times and I don't want her falling into the nearby coffee table... and I was too lazy to move her.

Peekaboo!

There you have it. And the final product? Sorry, the expert says she doesn't want her masterpiece to yet be viewed by the adoring public. She figures she wouldn't have time for herself after everyone sees her style and comes for one of their own. I guess she just wants to be on referral basis only (smile).

Sick Day

I'm callin in a sick day.

Yesturday morning I woke up feeling not-so-hot... or too hot, depending on how you look at it. Anyway, I spent the majority of the day in bed, didn't eat hardly a thing, and let hubby take care of our munchkin. This was the first day I didn't have to change diapers, burp her, feed her solids (oh wait, I did that in the evening anyway), or watch her. Hubby did it all. I just had to feed her seeing as I'm the only one with the proper plumbing for the job (smile).

Today I was hoping to feel much better, but last night was brutal, so I'm exhausted yet again. At least I'm eating something. Hubby picked up some soup at Main Bread and Butter (and delicious soup it is) and I managed to eat a whole bowl! I had some crackers with peanut butter earlier today as well, which helped, as I had to get back to the full time work as 'Mom' at 7am this morning. Ah well. At least our baby girl isn't affected by whatever is affecting me. She's been great.

Speaking of our munchkin, she found the bookcase today. The one in her room... holding lots of books I've been collecting for her since she's been born. Since she was trying so hard to remove a few (not very successfully I might add), I decided to read her one. She wanted to chew on it more than read it, but that is ok, at least she has great taste... (ahem.. sorry). It was hilarious watching her roll around the floor with this book that was almost as big as she was in her hands going "da deh deh da" and concentrating with everything in her on grabbing that cover and trying to open it to get to the fragile pages inside. She didn't succeed... this time. I really need to get more of those thick cardboard type books and fabric ones. Ones that I don't have to worry about hearing the dreaded sound of ripping paper.

I guess rolling with a book gets tiring, because she went down for her nap rather easily. All the better for me as now I get a bit of a break... and I've decided NOT to do laundry! ;) After all, what's a sick day when you're busy doing housework?

Whew

Life is throwing us a bit of a curve ball...

First of all, I may be dealing with a bit of depression. We don't know for sure, and I haven't bothered going to the doctor about it yet, but it could either be that or stress. I'm beginning to not care and at the same time care too much about certain things, I've been getting snappy, and I've noticed that my disposition has been... well... just plain not me. I feel like I'm acting ugly and I hate it... which does nothing to help the situation of course (haha). Anyway, I'm blessed in so many ways with the understanding husband I have, and the daughter that God gave us (who sometimes drives me crazy, but in a good way...). If it weren't for them, I'm sure things would have been much worse.

The other issue involves our livelihood. I'm not sure what I can all go into here, however, we (personally) are fine. The things we have been doing since shortly after getting married means we will not be overly affected by what needs to happen. Unfortunately, other family will, and we do NOT like being the ones who HAVE to deliver the news (believe me when I say that... we are basically being forced into a situation here). It's gonna hurt. We need prayer in how to do this and that the others will be responsive... in a good way. Believe me when I say I'm calling up a lot of my previous schooling in 'presenting' a business plan... because that's what it's gonna take. Change is good, right?

On a good note, hubby and I are gonna be able to spend some much needed alone time together. Yup, the munchkin is going to her grandparents tomorrow evening for a few hours (ok, technically she'll just be staying there since we are there for lunch anyway) and we'll go see Monsters vs. Aliens in the theatre together, and go to a nice restaurant (which we recently found out we cannot do with her due to loud noise, too many people and other various things which made her cranky). I'm hoping we'll be able to discuss other things than the business issues... although that is going to be weighing heavily on our minds until we can settle things. We both just need the break from things to spend time together.

Anyway, like I said, a lot has been going on. We recently moved my hubby's sister into her new house! She finished the paperwork yesturday, was handed the keys, and now is the proud new owner of her own place. We spent the better part of the day moving most of her things from her rental place to her house. I hope to help her get things organized, as it's gonna take awhile. Thankfully she didn't unpack all her stuff from her move over here (from a few provinces over) half a year ago. I think she knew she'd have to move again.

Anyhoo, I'm tired, and I think my bed is calling my name. Can you hear it too? Or is my brain melting from exhaustion (and munchkin wanting to eat way earlier than normal the last couple of days)? I'd say the latter. G'night everyone!

Thankful Thursday

Time for another Thankful Thursday hosted by Women Taking a Stand. This week the theme is provision.

Well, I am thankful that God always provides what we need when we need it... not before we need it, but right on time. It's been teaching me to trust.

Lord, Thank You for always being here, listening to everything, willing to just sit with me when I have petty problems. Thanks for always giving me what I need... food, clothes, health, finances... my little girl, the patience to deal with situations that arise, and the husband who loves me even when I don't deal properly. Thanks for the guidance you always have at our disposal, and all that you've helped me to realize this past year.

Thanks, Lord, for being such an awesome God.

I know this post is a bit vague right now, but to be honest, I've been dealing with things lately I'm not willing to write about at this point. We'll see if I will at all (don't worry, it's nothing serious, just... me... possibly being... me... haha).

However, I do have to say that I'm thankful my lil munchkin is getting stronger... she's SO CLOSE to crawling already! Just for you, a vid to show what I mean.

I'm so thankful for my lil girl!

Photo Contest

I need your help! I want to enter in a little fun contest on facebook for baby pictures (theme this week is anything Easter... so I'm doing one with my lil munchkin in her Easter dress), and I can't decide which one to enter. I think my fave is the last pic here, but I need your help. Please comment and tell me which one I should enter. I am afraid I'm a bit biased and can't decide. Ah well!

Thanks again!

Edit: April 21 - Thanks to everyone for your input! I decided to go for the 3rd pic since it seems to be the overall favorite. Feel free to vote if you like (and are part of facebook), but you'll also have to vote for 2 other pictures too.

What a Week!

This week has been wonderful... crazy in many ways, but wonderful.

Firstly, I finally got some of my work done in the house... see my previous post for details. We also had the Farm Management group head guy down to go over our farm numbers, using my bookkeeping as the basis for what is happening on the farm. It's been interesting, inputting all that data onto the AgExpert program, but it is worth it. Now to learn some of the other ins and outs of the program and familiarize myself with the payroll section, the printable cheques, and the budgeting area. Oh, and apparently, 'word on the street' is that my books are impeccable... I think that's the word that was used... haha. It feels really good to know that I'm doing something right!

Another thing that happened this week... my sister-in-law got her house! She's been renting a place nearby that had mould issues, and needed to find a place for herself (she was looking into renting somewhere else, but this area is known for rental places not being in very good shape most of the time...). It's a nice place, and we'll be helping her move this next weekend.

More news, yesterday I was dress shopping. A friend of mine is getting married later this year, and she asked me to be a bridesmaid! I'm so honored! I've never been a bridesmaid, and I'm looking forward to helping her out with anything she needs help with (like wedding favors, invites, anything...) and I LOVE her other bridesmaids! We all ordered our dresses already (yup... her two sisters came out from the province over and loved the dress she had picked, both ordered it... I went yesterday with the other two bridesmaids and we all ended up loving the dress on us and got it... it's gorgeous... and I forgot my camera so I don't have pics. Shoot). The color? Eggplant (gorgeous!)!

I did some more shopping on Thursday... again at Liquidation world. My sis called me up to say they just got a bunch of clothes in and I had to come check it out. I need clothes this summer, as my wardrobe last year was maternity, and my previous year's stuff needs... well... a lot of it has seemingly shrunk. Seriously. It's like two inches of length disappeared off these shirts. I know I buy cheap clothes, but really! Anyway, off I went. They had everything! I got 10 baby items... 6 for my munchkin, and 4 for gifts for a few people expecting babies this summer. I also got myself a dress, a pair of jeans, a t-shirt jacket type button up, and 3 other shirts for a grand total of $84 after tax. I'm thrilled! The following pic is of items I bought for my baby. Sorry, no pics of the clothes for myself yet. They are designer labels apparently though! Nice stuff!

Anyway, here are a few pics of my lil one. This is my SIL holding my baby... apparently munchkin loved sticking her feet in her face!

Next is my lil girl playing with the ducky she got from her grandparents (my hubby's folks)... it quacks. Although, I think she just likes how it feels.


Here she is on hands and... toes. Yup. Toes. She's getting closer and closer to crawling.


Oh, and we're getting her started early... hahaha


Butt up? Trying to crawl yet again. She's on hands and knees quite often. It's so cute!


Toes are fun!

#54: Finish Hall/Stairs

I am proud to announce that we are FINALLY finished our stairway and upstairs hall (ok, actually, the whole upstairs is now done)! I am so happy! I spent Friday putting in the rest of the baseboards, doing the remaining paint touchups, and just finishing everything in general. Playing with the angles for bringing the baseboard all the way down the stairs was fun. So... the moment you've all been waiting for... pictures!

First up... the before pics. These first two are from years ago already... when I hadn't started ANY work on the house... note the wallpaper (which you probably can't see due to everything being washed out from the terrible camera I had then).

Seriously... I hadn't done a thing yet. Very... 70's, wouldn't you say? And I love the ripped wallpaper by the stairs.

Such a trip down memory lane... those light fixtures were the first thing to go.

And now for the 'in between' pic... taken this year before the rug was out. The hall had already been repainted... the stipple and wallpaper on the main floor is gone... and there is NO baseboards. I still have no baseboards on my main floor. Oh... and the white stuff on the stairs I added in.

And now... the after. Ah... so much nicer! I love the baseboards! And the bannister...

Another 'before' pic... ok... in between one.

And now for a bunch of 'after' pics.

Oh, the above pic? I need to take the blue paint to the wall area next to the baseboard by the corner and touch up a little bit. Ah well... close enough, right?

Now all that is left is decorating!!! Woo!

A little vid... again

So... I worked up another little vid for you all. It was fun to have some fun with this. Anyway, I hope you enjoy. I want to post more pics and stuff, but I'm too tired to bother at this point in time.

I hope you all have a great weekend.

Oops.... haha

I thought this was funny... so here you go! Enjoy!

I'm Back! Happy Late Easter!

Hello again! I'm back!

I've been trying to catch up on everything everyone wrote in their blogs the last week... and you guys write too much! Or maybe I follow too many blogs... hahaha.

It's been a great week. I really needed the break, and while I missed you all, I enjoyed not having the distraction of the internet or tv. I got lots done... that's for sure, and now I don't want to do anything again. Weird or what?

My lil munchkin has been growing so fast. She's getting closer to crawling. She's been rocking on her hands and knees now, just waiting to lunge forward in the first crawling attempt... hasn't happened yet, but I'm waiting, camera in hand (although I can't let her see it or she'll just stop and smile at me).

Easter was good. I can't help but cry when I think of what my Saviour has done for me. It's just so huge! And I always love the gatherings that come with. Unfortunetly, we didn't have one in my family, which I thought was odd, seeing as there are two grandchildren now. Sigh.

Anyway, both hubby and baby are napping, and while I would love to head to town to go for a walk, I can't wake my lil one to do it, and my hubby won't be in for very long so I can't just leave her with him. Maybe I'll just walk around outside a bit here at home until my munchkin wakes up and then head to town with her for a stroll...

I have to show you all some sweet pics of my lil Munchkin from her 6month photos... just a way to say Happy Easter to you all!

Gaerte Giveaway

Currently there is a 'secret' giveaway happening at Gaerte Gang. Check it out! You just might win something... although you won't know what until you win. I think it's fun! The deadline to enter is Saturday, April 11! Head on over there and check it out!

Week Off

I decided that it would be a good idea to fast from the internet for a week starting tomorrow, along with TV. I'll still use the computer, but that is work related. However, I think that the internet is taking up a lot of my time lately and I need to focus that time elsewhere, so I'll be taking a break.

Anyway, I just had to share... yesturday I went shopping and snagged some MORE deals! I love deals! I'm a good Mennonite... (hahahaha). Anyway, for less than $45 I got all that is in the photo below: an over-the-door shoe organizer, two wood/glass candle lanterns, 4 packs of different picture hanging hardware, a 6-piece cloth dish protector pack, a calendar/organizer, a queen duvet cover and shams in chocolate brown/grey-blue (I'd been looking for a duvet cover for a long time already, and this one was just what I was looking for, and less than $20), and 3 bright colored throw blankets (perfect for picnics!). Woo Hoo! I love Liquidation World... especially when they are clearing out older stock to make way for a new shipment... my sis works there so I get 'inside tips' on when they are selling out stuff! I'm thinking of buying a sheet set for a twin bed for Marin as all their sheets are 50% off right now.

Anyway, I'll miss reading all your blogs the next week... and writing in my own blog as well. I'll see you all next week! Have a great one!

Thankful Thursday

Thanks to Laurie from Women Taking a Stand for hosting Thankful Thursday through April! The theme for this week is 'hope'.

First, I have to say that I'm thankful for the projects I have finally completed (to see them, click here). I hope to be able to post about the whole hallway being done by this time next week! Oh... that would be so nice!

I'm so thankful for my husband who has been great with helping me through the last week or two... by cooking suppers most evenings while I sanded, stained, and varnished my hours away on that railing. He made sure I was fed, and I'm so thankful! I hope he will continue to cook every so often... wink wink.

I'm thankful that my God is such an awesome God! He's been teaching me so much in my daily time with Him! I want to spend even more time with Him! I hope to continue to learn more and more.

I'm thankful that God has given us the ability to hope for things! What would the world be without hope?

Thanks so much for visiting! So, what are you thankful for this week?

DONE - Oh How I Love Thee!

Such a wonderful word!

I have now completed two projects. The first, the bannister, is now complete! I worked on it till 11:30 last night, committed to finishing that day. Now to wait for that rug to go in...

The other project that is finished is the family wedding pic on my husband's side. I have a post on it here. Sorry, I don't feel like reloading them... they are massive.

Now to finish a few other projects... but first, I think I'll take a well-deserved break!

Potato Wrapping

The other day we were invited to a birthday party. The little guy was turning 1, so I couldn't resist buying him a present... and then later realised that all the wrapping paper and gift bags I had were girly! That wouldn't do! So, I decided to make my own.

Making your own wrapping paper is cheap, easy, and green! Reuse old newspapers (I like using the comic pages... great for teens) and then decorate them with a nice bow... or string works too. Get the kids involved and cut out all sorts of shapes out of construction paper to glue to the package. Use old paper bags and decorate them. Or, do what I did... use some white paper (drop paper? I'm not sure what it is called but you pick it up in a large roll for cheap) and stamp it.

To make potato stamps, take an old potato (mine were no longer fit for eating... oops... so I grabbed one for this project), cut it in half whatever way you like, and then with a knife, cut out whatever shape you want. You can make a template if you wish on paper. Cut out the portions you don't want to stamp, and then grab the paint! You can dip them in the paint or brush it on, whatever works best for you. Kids would love this type of project (just get mommy or daddy to work with the knife, ok?). Who doesn't love stamping? And who doesn't love designing their own stamps?


Enjoy, and have fun saving money!

Edit: I just linked up at Gaerte Gang for Homemade Christmas and also to The Snail's Trail: Handmade Holidays 2009! Be sure to head down there and check it out.

I Like to Move it!

Catchy title, no?

It's another video of my munchkin! I know, you are all super excited, right? This video is of her attempting to move forward... the caterpillar is what we'll call this move. Isn't she the cutest? Yeah... I'm a proud mom...

I should make a video compiling videos of her into one, and then add some music to it... doesn't that sound fun? Yeah... like I have loads of time to do that... uh huh...

Maybe I should quit with all the great ideas I have... they're making me too busy (smile).

Work, work, work

I've been busy. Real busy. I-hate-how-busy-I-am kind of busy. And yet... I am SOOO close!

I've been working on that rail again. Yup... varnishing. Monday I gave the whole thing a coat of varnish... and then realized I'd have to sand it all yet again before I could apply the next coat. So, 2 hours varnishing... 2 hours sanding. Again. I am hating that sandpaper already!

Yesterday I went shopping with my mom and sis in the city and got myself a bit of scrapbooking stuff and some clothes. A skirt and a tank top... total tally of $11.20! Cha-ching! I love great deals! After that, when I got home (and after tending to my baby who wasn't happy having been in a car seat most of the day) I started applying the second coat of varnish. I didn't finish. My lil munchkin didn't want to nap longer than an hour (seriously... I should have KNOWN that, even though she didn't nap while in the city). So, I got 2 sections done, and did the third and last section today. I need to sand yet again. Bummer. And it'll need another coat. Double bummer. I did sand the area of my wall that needs it so I can paint that section (it's just touch up before the rug goes in) and I'm thinking of changing that area yet... I'll have to talk to my dad (or someone else who knows about this sort of thing) to see what I should do... BEFORE the weekend... so I can get it done.

Sigh.

On another note, I've been working on fixing my wedding pics again. The one I'm working on now requires a LOT of work... I'm looking forward to it being finished. I'll post it when it's done. I also managed to clean house today. Lots of cleaning... too much... blech. I have to take care of laundry now too.

At least all the sanding dust is gone... unfortunately I guess more will come (although this time I'll use a damp sanding sponge, so it shouldn't really float anywhere).

I can't WAIT till this project is in the 'out' pile!